Friday, April 28, 2006
That's Our Stevie
Harper Takes It Up the Ass from Yanks, Says "Please Sir, May I Have Another?"
Softwood deal a triumph for Harper, former U.S. envoy says
Last Updated Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:37:18 EDT
CBC News
Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the United States is "far from perfect," but it is a political achievement for the Harper government, a former envoy to Washington said Friday.
'It's far from perfect but it reflects the world' - former U.S. ambassador Allan Gotlieb
"The critics have to ask themselves, 'What is the alternative?'" Allan Gotlieb, who served as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. between 1981 and 1989, told CBC.ca.
Gotlieb noted the deal, which was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, ends a 25-year court battle.
"It's far from perfect but it reflects the world," he said.
Initial mixed reviews
Harper made the announcement of a revised agreement after an initial deal drew mixed industry reviews on both sides of the border, and criticism from the Ontario government.
Harper said the deal provides Canadian producers unrestricted access to American markets under current conditions, meaning there is no overall cap on the Canadian share of the U.S. market.
With current prices, this means no quotas or tariffs, Harper added.
But, if the price drops, certain export restrictions will kick in. Producers would have to pay an export tax of five per cent if there's a small drop in price. If it falls more, they would have to pay as much as 15 per cent.
Opposition slams deal
However, NDP Leader Jack Layton also criticized the U.S. for keeping $1 billion in duties.
Opposition Leader Bill Graham blasted the agreement, calling it a great deal for the Americans but a "disaster for Canada."
Gotlieb disagreed, however.
"The vast majority of trade with the United States is free and unencumbered," he said, adding that the deal puts an end to a "major irritant" and creates a fixed set of rules.
"This frees us up to go back to the table to deepen NAFTA and amend it to strengthen the dispute resolution mechanism," Gotlieb said.
He also said the deal is a "political triumph" for both Harper and Michael Wilson, Canada's new envoy to the U.S.
"I believe the prime minister's relations with President [George W. Bush] must have been helpful," he said.
Long story short: the Yanks stole $5 billion of our money, and offered to pay back $4 billion - maybe, if they feel like it. Oh yeah, and they'll buy some of our wood, too.
Way to go, Stevie - we'll be kings of the third world yet!
Softwood deal a triumph for Harper, former U.S. envoy says
Last Updated Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:37:18 EDT
CBC News
Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the United States is "far from perfect," but it is a political achievement for the Harper government, a former envoy to Washington said Friday.
'It's far from perfect but it reflects the world' - former U.S. ambassador Allan Gotlieb
"The critics have to ask themselves, 'What is the alternative?'" Allan Gotlieb, who served as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. between 1981 and 1989, told CBC.ca.
Gotlieb noted the deal, which was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, ends a 25-year court battle.
"It's far from perfect but it reflects the world," he said.
Initial mixed reviews
Harper made the announcement of a revised agreement after an initial deal drew mixed industry reviews on both sides of the border, and criticism from the Ontario government.
Harper said the deal provides Canadian producers unrestricted access to American markets under current conditions, meaning there is no overall cap on the Canadian share of the U.S. market.
With current prices, this means no quotas or tariffs, Harper added.
But, if the price drops, certain export restrictions will kick in. Producers would have to pay an export tax of five per cent if there's a small drop in price. If it falls more, they would have to pay as much as 15 per cent.
Opposition slams deal
However, NDP Leader Jack Layton also criticized the U.S. for keeping $1 billion in duties.
Opposition Leader Bill Graham blasted the agreement, calling it a great deal for the Americans but a "disaster for Canada."
Gotlieb disagreed, however.
"The vast majority of trade with the United States is free and unencumbered," he said, adding that the deal puts an end to a "major irritant" and creates a fixed set of rules.
"This frees us up to go back to the table to deepen NAFTA and amend it to strengthen the dispute resolution mechanism," Gotlieb said.
He also said the deal is a "political triumph" for both Harper and Michael Wilson, Canada's new envoy to the U.S.
"I believe the prime minister's relations with President [George W. Bush] must have been helpful," he said.
Long story short: the Yanks stole $5 billion of our money, and offered to pay back $4 billion - maybe, if they feel like it. Oh yeah, and they'll buy some of our wood, too.
Way to go, Stevie - we'll be kings of the third world yet!
